SCMP Transforms Events Division to SCMP Live

Hong Kong (January 29, 2024) – The South China Morning Post (SCMP) announced today it has rebranded SCMP Events to SCMP Live to usher in a new phase of business transformation of its Events division, an extension of the Post’s award-winning journalism and thought leadership.

“For 120 years, our readers have placed their trust in SCMP to help them make sense of the news events across Hong Kong, Greater China and Asia.  Through SCMP Live premium event experiences, we ignite our readers’ journey from informed to empowered, enabling them to dive deeper, connect with opinion leaders, and shape industry conversations – all LIVE,” said Catherine So, Chief Executive Officer of SCMP.

“The way our audience engages with our events is constantly evolving.  As such, our events division has transformed to anticipate and adapt to our audience’s needs and expectations. The rebrand to “SCMP Live” marks this transformation,” So added. 

The China Conference, Family Business Summit, and Redefining Hong Kong series will remain SCMP’s flagship events in 2024.  But this year, SCMP Live aims to deliver fewer but larger scale events that are more impactful and more aligned with top of mind news events.

Similarly, SCMP custom events, which SCMP Live produces on behalf of its valued partners, leverage the trusted SCMP brand to convene the right target audience and curate the most relevant programme and speakers that drive meaningful connection, high engagement and consideration.

Kevin Huang, Chief Operating Officer of SCMP, commented, “There has been tremendous growth in our Events division over the past year.  In the current fiscal year, we’ve already seen high double-digit growth YOY.  With the rebrand and transformation to SCMP Live, we hope to turbocharge our events capability to further build out the depth and breadth of our events portfolio, and to help many more of our partners bring their event vision to life in the most impactful way that supports their business priorities.”

To learn more about SCMP Live visit live.scmp.com or email live@scmp.com

 

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ABOUT THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST  

The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing correspondent staff across Asia and the United States. SCMP’s vision is to “Elevate Thought” and our mission is to “Lead the global conversation about Hong Kong, Greater China and Asia”. It is the recipient of hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence, from such prestigious organisations as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.

 

For further information, please contact:  

PR@scmp.com




SCMP Appoints Anthony Wong as Head of People

Hong Kong (January 10, 2024) – The South China Morning Post (SCMP) announced today the appointment of Anthony Wong as its Head of People to lead the Group’s people-focused strategies.

Following SCMP’s rapid growth and digital transformation in recent years as a leading media company now with a global reach of 35 million readers worldwide, Wong’s appointment underscores the company’s long-term focus on attracting and nurturing talent, building organisational and individual capabilities, and elevating the employee experience. 

Wong brings over 25 years of people leadership experience across the consumer, retail and logistics sectors.  Prior to joining SCMP, he was Vice President of HR at DHL Express Hong Kong and HR Director at DFI Retail Group.  Additionally, he held senior HR roles at a number of other global organisations including Nestlé, RedMart and Sony. 

“We are thrilled to have Anthony join our senior leadership team. SCMP has seen tremendous growth, particularly this past year, which is a testament to the strength of our people.  We have just celebrated our 120th anniversary and have now entered a new phase of growth, and I’m confident Anthony will further cultivate our diverse, inclusive and supportive culture and elevate our employee experience,” said Catherine So, Chief Executive Officer of SCMP.

“I’m very excited to be joining a leading global media organisation as diverse as SCMP with a workforce of over 30 nationalities.  In my new role, I will champion SCMP’s strong values rooted in the company’s vision and mission, as well as advance our people-focused strategies to further enhance our capabilities and employer brand,” said Anthony Wong, Head of People of SCMP.

Wong holds a Doctor of Business Administration from SBS Swiss Business School and a Master of Arts from The University of Hong Kong.  His appointment is effective from 8 January 2024, based at SCMP’s global headquarters in Hong Kong.

 

– ENDS –

 

ABOUT THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST 

The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing correspondent staff across Asia and the United States. SCMP’s vision is to “Elevate Thought” and our mission is to “Lead the global conversation on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia”. It is the recipient of hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence from such prestigious organisations as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.

 

For further information, please contact: 

PR@scmp.com

 

SCMP Bolsters Advertising+ Division with Two Senior Hires on the Back of Double-digit YoY Revenue Growth

Hong Kong (December 13, 2023) – The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has announced two senior hires this month in its Advertising+ division on the back of significant, double digit Year-over-Year advertising revenue growth, connecting brands with its 35M global audience. Further, its year-to-date EBITDA has already exceeded this year’s target and  outperformed the year prior.

Lee Williamson, an award-winning media leader and content strategist, has joined the Post from Tatler Asia. Lee was the founding editor and regional head of Tatler Gen.T, a community-focused content platform for impact-driven young leaders in Asia. Based in Hong Kong, Lee joins the Post as Executive Director of Specialist Publications (SP) and will set the overall direction for the Post’s Lifestyle Content Division and spearhead growth for titles including Style, 100 Top Tables, and XXIV

“I am thrilled to be joining the SCMP to lead its Lifestyle Content Division. My first priority is to build community and deeper engagement with the Post’s global audience around our lifestyle content. I see a lot of opportunities to elevate our portfolio of offerings and curate content informed by our audience’s preferences and needs,” said Lee Williamson, Executive Director of Specialist Publications at the SCMP.

Additionally, Celine Asril has joined the SCMP as Strategy Director of Morning Studio (MS) to lead its ideation hub and work with the business team to showcase MS’ innovative marketing solutions. Celine rejoins the Post from FINN Partners in SG and was previously a Content Strategist with Morning Studio and TBWA. Celine will continue to be based in Singapore.

Kevin Huang, Chief Operating Officer at the SCMP, commented, “With Lee’s strong track record in journalism and community building and Celine’s deep expertise in content development and execution, I am confident they will bring fresh, innovative approaches to meet our affluent audience’s evolving needs and maximise ROI for our partners and brands.”

“I cannot be more excited to return to the SCMP. I hope to leverage my broad experience working with multi-sector brands to help raise the bar for Morning Studio through data-driven, multi-platform strategies, building on the Post’s 120 years of brand equity,” said Celine Asril, Strategy Director of Morning Studio at the SCMP.

For more information on the SCMP’s full suite of Advertising and Marketing Solutions that help brands connect with our global audience visit Here

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ABOUT THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST 

The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing correspondent staff across Asia and the United States. SCMP’s vision is to “Elevate Thought” and our mission is to “Lead the global conversation on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia”. It is the recipient of hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence, from such prestigious organisations as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.

 

ABOUT THE SCMP ADVERTISING+

For 120 years, the South China Morning Post has been entrusted by both readers and partners in Hong Kong and Asia to tell their stories to over 35 million readers each month.

SCMP Advertising+ connects partners to affluent Asian influencers and business decision-makers through culturally relevant content and events that drive connection and consideration; and its first-party data platform and brand safety tools that deliver impact through insights and context.

SCMP Advertising+ is for partners who want to shape the next chapter of Hong Kong and Asia’s story.

 

For further information, please contact: 

PR@scmp.com

 

‘Your SCMP’ 120-Anniversary Campaign Celebrates the Readers, Partners and People of SCMP

Hong Kong (September 25, 2023) – The South China Morning Post proudly presents Your SCMP. Building upon the success of the I Read the SCMP campaign launched in April, the new initiative brings to life the broad and deep relevance of the SCMP by celebrating its diverse readership, partners, and people who epitomise and shape the international story of Hong Kong.

 

Your SCMP spotlights 11 new distinguished profiles, who read the SCMP:

  • Tiffany Chan – Professional Golfer, LPGA
  • Jason Cheung – Top DSE Scorer, 2022
  • Elliot Leung – Composer, Classical Music & Film Music
  • Daryl Ng – Deputy Chairman, Sino Group
  • Frederick Poon – Principal, St. Paul’s Co-educational College
  • Douglas Young – Co-Founder & CEO, G.O.D.

 

Work with the SCMP:

  • Justin Bonnett – Regional Head of Marketing, Jones Lang LaSalle
  • Cindy Chee – Communications Director (Hong Kong & Macau), Cartier
  • Haymans Fung – Head of Marketing, Retail Bank HK & Global Partnerships, Standard Chartered Bank

 

Work at the SCMP:

  • Jeffie Lam – News Editor, City Desk South China Morning Post
  • Mia Nulimaimaiti – Reporter, Political Economy, South China Morning Post

 

Along with some of the six profiles which debuted in April:

  • Anson Chan – Student, Island School
  • May Chow – Chef & Founder, Little Bao
  • Steven Lam – Co-Founder & CEO, GoGoX
  • Shalini Mahtani – Founder, The Zubin Foundation
  • Gregory Van – Co-Founder & CEO, Endowus
  • Allan Zeman – Chairman, LKF Group

 

View the 30-second campaign videos below:

 

Produced by the SCMP’s Morning Studio, the campaign reaches influential audiences through targeted media placements across: the SCMP online and print, digital media, social platforms, and strategically placed out-of-home advertisements in key commercial areas in Hong Kong.

 

A cornerstone of SCMP’s 120th-anniversary marketing initiatives, Your SCMP sets the stage for a series of events and activations that include a pop-up installation, newsstand branding, coffee carts, cocktail hours, and conferences coming in the weeks and months ahead.

 

“In this 120th-anniversary initiative the South China Morning Post celebrates the broad relevance and impact of our readers, partners, and people who are shaping the international story of Hong Kong,” says  Kevin Huang, Chief Operating Officer, South China Morning Post. “For generations, the South China Morning Post has told the international story of Hong Kong, and now we are at a pivotal moment where we see it as our role to celebrate the importance of our home. We hope that this campaign will inspire, promote, and grow the Hong Kong community for the better.”

 

“Building on the original message of the I Read the SCMP campaign, Your SCMP goes broader showing the importance, relevance and impact of our readership, people, and partners,” says Huang “It’s SCMP Advertising+ that connects partners with the Post’s broad and influential quality audience so they can tell their brand stories to the people shaping the international story of Hong Kong.

 

– END –

APPENDIX:

Credits:

Agency: Morning Studio
Paul Phillips, Strategy & Insights Director
Moni Leung, Art Director
Kate Fung, Marketing Manager
Nick Jones, Lead Video Producer
Michala Sabnani, Executive Director
Ben Abbotts, Vice President, Design
Wayne Knowles, Director, Marcoms Design
Tasha Ling, Stylist
Ruby Law, Photographer
Hilda Lee, Senior Manager
Timmy Bankole, Director, Business Operations
Media: Assembly Global
Wardrobe: Frey (Cindy Chee), Self-Portrait from Net-A-Porter (Haymans Fung), The Armoury (Elliot Leung), L’Etoile Sport from Net-A-Porter (Tiffany Chan).

 

ABOUT THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST 

The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing correspondent staff across Asia and the United States. SCMP’s vision is to “Elevate Thought” and our mission is to “Lead the global conversation on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia”. It is the recipient of hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence, from such prestigious organisations as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.

ABOUT THE SCMP ADVERTISING+

For 120 years, the South China Morning Post has been entrusted by both readers and partners in Hong Kong and Asia to tell their stories to over 35 million readers each month.

SCMP Advertising+ connects partners to affluent Asian influencers and business decision-makers through culturally relevant content and events that drive connection and consideration; and its first-party data platform and brand safety tools that deliver impact through insights and context.

SCMP Advertising+ is for partners who want to shape the next chapter of Hong Kong and Asia’s story.

 

For further information, please contact: 

advertising@scmp.com

 

The 2023 SCMP HK – Asean Summit Spotlights Distinguished Keynote Speakers:

The Hon John KC Lee, Chief Executive of HKSAR, 

Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Government of Singapore, and 

Mr. Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Investment Trade and Industry for Malaysia

 

Hong Kong, (September 19, 2023) – The South China Morning Post (SCMP) returns with the 2023 instalment of the Hong Kong – Asean Summit with the overarching theme of Connectivity Strategies for Regional Growth and Prosperity, to take place in hybrid format on October 9, 2023 at the Conrad Hotel, Hong Kong.

Supported by the HK-ASEAN Foundation and Our Hong Kong Foundation as Presenting Sponsors, the Hong Kong Asean Summit brings together business leaders, policymakers and entrepreneurs from Hong Kong, China and the regional community to discuss and debate what the immediate future holds for Hong Kong while considering the city’s long-term position within the Greater Bay Area, China and Asean. 

The Hong Kong – Asean Summit counts amongst its stellar lineup of speakers: the Hon John KC Lee, Chief Executive of HKSAR, who will be delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony. 

Our esteemed speakers also include: 

  • Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Government of Singapore
  • Mr. Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Investment Trade and Industry for Malaysia
  • Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
  • Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia
  • Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General for ASEAN
  • The Hon. Bernard Charnwut Chan, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Vice Chairman, Our Hong Kong Foundation
  • Dr. Daryl Ng, SBS, JP, Chairman, Hong Kong-Asean Foundation
  • Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
  • Sylvester Wong, Vice President, Buildings+Places PH of Aecom
  • Patrick Ip, Managing Director, China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund
  • Hendrik Rosenthal, Director – Group Sustainability, CLP Holdings Limited
  • Pamela Mar, Managing Director of the Digital Standards Initiative, International Chamber of Commerce
  • Catherine So, CEO, South China Morning Post and others

A full list of the conference’s speakers can be accessed here.

The summit will feature keynote speakers, fireside conversations, and discussion panels that provide insights into the latest trends, best practices, and emerging opportunities between Hong Kong and Asean countries. Deep dive topics on the day include:

  • How Hong Kong is positioning itself as the gateway to North Asia for Asean
  • Is Asean on track to achieve its epicentre of growth?
  • How Hong Kong can play a role in Indonesia’s ambitious development projects including Nusantara 
  • Areas of focus: cooperation or collaboration?
  • Gaining speed on Asean infrastructure connectivity
  • Strategies to accelerate the regional transition to carbon neutrality

The full agenda can be accessed here.

– END –

ABOUT THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST  

The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing correspondent staff across Asia and the United States. SCMP’s vision is to “Elevate Thought” and our mission is to “Lead the global conversation on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia”. It is the recipient of hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence, from such prestigious organisations as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.

For further information, please contact:  

pr@scmp.com

The South China Morning Post Presents the Inaugural Future of Work Summit: Accelerating the Future of Work Now

Hong Kong, (July 18, 2023) – The South China Morning Post (SCMP) is proud to present its inaugural Future of Work Summit, which will take place on July 27th at the JW Marriott Hong Kong

This hybrid summit will convene business leaders, policymakers and academics to discuss and debate key strategies that Hong Kong must now act upon to shape the global workforce of tomorrow: to reverse the city’s talent deficit, to foster AI & automation while remedying trends of job displacement, to bolster Hong Kong’s position as a biotech hub, to lay a solid foundation for the city’s GBA development goals, and many more. 

The full agenda can be accessed here.

Our esteemed speakers on the day include:

  • Jeff Sze, Acting Secretary for Education, The Government for HKSAR
  • Prof. Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Prof. Seen Meng Chew, Associate Dean for External Engagement, Associate Professor of PRactice, Department of Finance, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School
  • Joanna Hotung, Founder of the KG Group, Director of Hotung Mills Education Foundation
  • Eileen Burnett-Kant, Chief Human Resources Officer, CLP Holdings Limited
  • Michael T. B. Chan, Managing Director, MTR Lab Company Limited
  • Toni Younes, Founder and CEO, Paul Lafayet 
  • Mei Mei Ng, General Manager; LinkedIn Hong Kong
  • Victor Kwok, Assistant Research Director, Head of Education and Youth Research, Our Hong Kong Foundation and more!

A full list of the conference’s speakers can be accessed here

– END –

ABOUT THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST  

The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing correspondent staff across Asia and the United States. SCMP’s vision is to “Elevate Thought” and our mission is to “Lead the global conversation on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia”. It is the recipient of hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence, from such prestigious organisations as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.

For further information, please contact:  

pr@scmp.com

SCMP boosts attention metrics of its award winning suitability product SIGNAL for enhanced measurement and optimisation

Hong Kong (July 6, 2023) – South China Morning Post (SCMP) has announced significant advancements to its highly acclaimed suitability tool, SIGNAL 2.0, by introducing a comprehensive suite of attention metrics. These cutting-edge metrics offer advertisers and brands enhanced optimisation capabilities, catering to the evolving challenges of capturing and retaining audience attention in today’s diverse media landscape.

Attention metrics have gained substantial attention from marketers worldwide over the last 8-10 months to date. As content consumption continues to proliferate across various platforms, screens, and environments, capturing and retaining attention has become increasingly challenging. 

Recognising this industry trend, IAB Australia published a report in late 2022, cautioning against an overemphasis on ad attention metrics in isolation. However, the report also revealed that over 80% of ad agencies expressed their intention to measure ad attention in campaigns throughout 2023.

SCMP believes that attention metrics represent an evolution in audience engagement and play a crucial role in determining business outcomes. Consequently, the SCMP team has diligently integrated attention metrics into SIGNAL, transforming it into a comprehensive platform for understanding attention on a holistic level. 

The AI-powered SIGNAL now incorporates a range of metrics, including viewability, time-in-view, ad size, ad position, page type, time of day, and creative interaction.

This integration of key metrics within SIGNAL signifies that “Attention” is now an optimizable strategy applicable to all campaigns across the SCMP portfolio. A scoring system will further qualify these metrics, enabling actionable insights derived from the data set. SCMP plans to release a compelling case study showcasing the benefits of attention metrics during Q4.

“Attention metrics hold the key to maximising ad performance and illuminating the impact of the media environment on capturing attention. Yet, it is through the synergistic collaboration of creative designers, media owners, and optimization teams that bring about optimal results,” Timmy Bankole, Director of Advertising Business Operations comments. “SCMP remains committed to investing in advertising technology tools to ensure the best outcomes for our advertisers while providing effective solutions independent of changes in the identity and data privacy landscape.”

Since its launch in 2020, Signal has gained global recognition, earning accolades such as Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Tech Most Valuable Product Award (2021) and securing second place at the INMA Global Awards for the ‘Best Use Of Data to Drive Advertising’.

 

– END –

 

Appendix:

  • Personalisation

Data collected by SIGNAL can help brands optimise their activation by making format, content, sentiment recommendations before a campaign goes live by looking at Ad log data from the brand’s  past campaigns as well as aggregated cohort data. 

  • Ad Fraud

Ad fraud is the practice of fraudulently representing online advertising impressions, clicks, conversion or data events to generate revenue. Focusing on malicious bots activities, SIGNAL 2.0 crawls all of SCMPs properties to identify and block any form of harmful bot activity, including impressions, invalid traffic (IVT), clicks and more, utilising machine learning techniques that looks for anomalies in traffic patterns. The addition of this feature ensures our clients’ Ads reach real people and drive real engagement.

  • Viewability

Built with the IAB viewability guideline for video and display, SIGNAL 2.0 measures all Ad units across all platforms, ensuring you can improve your Ad quality. 

  • Measurement

This tool allows brands to determine whether their ads are achieving the objectives by supporting the ability to tie their campaigns to relevant metrics. Brand recognition, brand awareness & brand consideration. Signal V2 will allow SCMP to provide a baseline understanding of consumer preferences, awareness, and intention to purchase.

 

ABOUT THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST  

The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing correspondent staff across Asia and the United States. SCMP’s vision is to “Elevate Thought” and our mission is to “Lead the global conversation on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia”. It is the recipient of hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence, from such prestigious organisations as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.

 

ABOUT THE SCMP ADVERTISING+

For 120 years, the South China Morning Post has been entrusted by both readers and partners in Hong Kong and Asia to tell their stories to over 35 million readers each month. 

SCMP Advertising+ connects partners to affluent Asian influencers and business decision-makers through culturally relevant content and events that drive connection and consideration; and its first-party data platform and brand safety tools that deliver impact through insights and context.

SCMP Advertising+ is for partners who want to shape the next chapter of Hong Kong and Asia’s story.

 

For further information, please contact:  

advertising@scmp.com

SCMP Presents the China Conference: Hong Kong 2023 – Towards a Smart and Connected Future

Hong Kong, (June 12, 2023) – The South China Morning Post (SCMP) is proud to present the 5th edition of the China Conference: Hong Kong, which will take place on June 20th at the St. Regis Hong Kong. The hybrid conference brings together senior government officials, business leaders, diplomats, and entrepreneurs for comprehensive dialogues on the flourishing opportunities and industries within the Greater Bay Area and mainland China. These discussions will also delve into their far-reaching implications for Hong Kong and the global community.

Our esteemed speakers on the day include:

  • The Hon John Lee, SBS, PDSM, PMSM, Chief Executive of the HKSAR Government
  • The Hon Paul Lam, SBS, SC, JP, Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR Government
  • Christopher Hui, GBS, JP, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government 
  • Elizabeth Wong, Director of Licensing and Head of Fintech unit, Intermediaries, Securities and Futures Commission
  • Victor Dawes, SC, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association
  • Patrick Graham, Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Hong Kong & Macau
  • John Lee, Vice Chairman, Head of Greater China, Global Banking, UBS AG
  • Catherine Leung, Co Founder and Partner, MizMaa Ventures, Chairperson, The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies
  • Wang Jian, Founder, Alibaba Cloud
  • Andy Wong, Head of Innovation and Technology, Invest Hong Kong

A full list of the conference’s speakers can be accessed here

Deep dive topics on the day include:

  • Navigating the Future: Hong Kong’s Role in China’s Economic Vision
  • Creating a Connected Ecosystem: Fostering Advancement and Innovation in the Greater Bay Area and Beyond
  • The Financial Hubs: Synergic Potentials and Global Challenges for Hong Kong and Shanghai
  • Crypto’s New Frontier: Charting a Path Through Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities

The full agenda can be accessed here

– END –

ABOUT THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST  

The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing correspondent staff across Asia and the United States. SCMP’s vision is to “Elevate Thought” and our mission is to “Lead the global conversation on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia”. It is the recipient of hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence, from such prestigious organisations as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.

 

For further information, please contact:  

pr@scmp.com

SCMP and IAB HK launch landmark study showing how brand marketing is taking centre stage and powering growth across Hong Kong & Asia

Hong Kong, (June 8, 2023) – The South China Morning Post (SCMP) and the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Hong Kong (IAB HK) are proud to unveil an industry white paper, Unlocking Brand Marketing’s Potential in Asia, helping businesses capture the growth opportunities that lie ahead. 

The key takeaways of the whitepaper are as follows:

  • Marketers now favour brand marketing over performance marketing
  • Marketers are diversifying their media channels away from performance so they can capture growth 
  • Storytelling stands front and centre in driving resonance and recognition
  • Today, every business needs to be engaged in brand marketing
  • The focus on marketing effectiveness and strategic business metrics is only set to grow 
  • Successful marketing execution requires confidence and conviction in agile environments 
  • Brand is a uniting force in a divergent world 

 

The full whitepaper is available here

The findings of the whitepaper are gathered from qualitative research in the form of round table discussions hosted by SCMP across two groups of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) level representatives in Hong Kong and Singapore respectively (full list of CMO participants surveyed available in the appendix), as well as quantitative research conducted across IAB’s membership database of marketers.

“Today, we are at a turning point. The last three years have seen too much focus on performance marketing and short-term thinking. Now, brand marketing is taking centre stage, with a focus on storytelling, real-world experiences and partnerships,” Kevin Huang, Chief Operating Officer, SCMP, comments. “Our round table discussions with Chief Marketing Officers validate the prevailing trend of escalating brand engagement. Their collective enthusiasm for branding building and effectively disseminating their business’ narratives underscores the resonating power of storytelling in marketing.” 

“In recent years, there has been a surge in digital products and services. However, as people return to offices, go on vacations, and venture out, marketers must adapt by diversifying their media channels. According to the survey conducted among IAB HK members for the whitepaper, 37% of marketers plan to increase spending on local news media, while 40% intend to invest more in out-of home-advertising,” Paul Phillips, Insights & Strategy Director, SCMP, shares. “With this white paper, we set out to inspire and help businesses capture the growth opportunities ahead.

“Marketers need to focus on strategic and diligent brand building as they can no longer dispute the power of storytelling as a unifying force in creating resonance and recognition,” Darryl Choo, International Business Director, SCMP, notes. “Powerful brands are built on stories that can shape our perception of the world, and resonate deeply with the hearts and minds of consumers.”

“Marketing is the driving force behind growth and that is being reflected in budgetary allocations. A majority of the IAB HK members surveyed for this whitepaper cite budget increases, with a notable 20% revealing a substantial 20% or higher increase in marketing investment.” Victor Cheng, Executive Committee, IAB HK, says. “At the same time, marketers are under pressure to prove effectiveness, with 73% of those surveyed ranking marketing effectiveness of utmost importance, anticipating its continuous ascent in significance in coming years.”

 

Appendix:

Round table participants in Hong Kong:

  • Suresh Balaji, Global Head Of Corporate Affairs, Brand And Marketing For Consumer, Private And Business Banking, Standard Chartered Bank 
  • Bart Buiring, Chief Sales And Marketing Officer – Asia Pacific, Marriott International
  • Hilda Chan, Head Of Marketing, Hong Kong Science And Technology Parks
  • Brian Hui, Head Of Customer Propositions And Marketing, Wealth And Personal Banking, Hong Kong, Hsbc
  • Cindy Chee, Communications Director (Hong Kong & Macau), Cartier
  • Justin Bonnett, Regional Head Of Marketing, Jones Lang Lasalle 
  • Fred Ngan, Co-Founder, Co-Ceo, Bowtie Life Insurance

 

Round table participants in Singapore:

  • Adrian Warr, Vice-Chair Of APAC Practices And Sectors, & APAC Head Of Employee Experience, Edelman
  • Marilyn Yeong, Regional Client Vice-President, Assembly
  • Brenda Bey, Chief Marketing Officer, GOGOX
  • Suren Rastogi, Head Of Marketing, finbots.Ai
  • Elaine Wu, Director, Corporate Brand & Marketing, Alibaba Group
  • Jini Pillai, Head Of Media Relations, Aon
  • Papri Dev, Vice-President Communications APAC, Tinder
  •  

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ABOUT THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST  

The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing correspondent staff across Asia and the United States. SCMP’s vision is to “Elevate Thought” and our mission is to “Lead the global conversation on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia”. It is the recipient of hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence, from such prestigious organisations as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. SCMP also publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.

 

ABOUT THE SCMP ADVERTISING+

For 120 years, the South China Morning Post has been entrusted by both readers and partners in Hong Kong and Asia to tell their stories to over 35 million readers each month. SCMP Advertising+ connects partners to affluent Asian influencers and business decision-makers through culturally relevant content and events that drive connection and consideration; and its first-party data platform and brand safety tools that deliver impact through insights and context. SCMP Advertising+ is for partners who want to shape the next chapter of Hong Kong and Asia’s story.

 

ABOUT IAB HONG KONG

IAB Hong Kong is the 46th national Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) licensee. It is a not-for-profit association that aims to develop standards and best practices on digital marketing to shape the future of digital marketing for Hong Kong’s advertising and marketing community.

The founding members of IAB HK, comScore, Google, Meta, RedLotus, South China Morning Post, and Yahoo! all share a common goal to see marketers embrace digital at a level unprecedented in Hong Kong’s advertising and marketing industry. PwC is a supporting partner of the association.

Through working with its member companies, IAB HK is committed to talent development, education, and cutting-edge research about the critical role of digital marketing.

 

For further information, please contact:  

advertising@scmp.com

SCMP Appoints Lucy Chen as Head of Data and Strategy

Hong Kong, (May 11, 2023) – The South China Morning Post (SCMP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lucy Chen as Head of Strategy and Data. Reporting directly to Catherine So, CEO of SCMP, this new role oversees the Post’s business strategies and data analytics function, with the mandate of driving business transformations in alignment with evolving strategic focus, institutionalising data-led decision making practices across the organisation through the use of advanced data analytics as well as identifying and implementing execution plans for new business opportunities. 

Chen brings with her over 20 years of experience in strategy, change management, organisational transformation and business development across multiple industries. She joins the Post from SmarTone, where she held senior positions from 2020 to 2023 in corporate strategy, business planning and data analytics, and brought about substantial revenue and operational improvements. 

Prior to, Chen spent almost 15 years in private equity. She entered the industry by starting in GE Equity in 2006 and co-founded Cobalt Equity Partners in 2015 with a focus on making mid-market, growth investments within Greater China, and generating significant value creation in portfolio companies. 

She began her career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company in 2001, and holds a Bachelor degree in International Relations from Wellesley College and MBA degree from INSEAD.

“Lucy’s appointment reflects the central role that data analytics plays in SCMP’s strategic capabilities and organisation model. I am confident that Lucy’s expertise will lend a solid data-driven foundation across our commercial, corporate and editorial pillars as we entrench the practice of intelligent use of data in our business and newsroom decisions as an industry leader. Under her leadership we will see optimised strategic and operational execution in business planning and transformation.” Catherine So, Chief Executive Officer, South China Morning Post, comments. 

“I’m incredibly honoured and thrilled to join SCMP, a global news leader with a definitive voice on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia affairs. The unique culture here is a blend of 120 years of legacy and a tech-forward mindset, built by a team of highly passionate and talented colleagues who are invested and committed to the mission and vision of the organisation. I’m excited about the new frontiers and the continual milestones ahead for the Post as a media pioneer,” Lucy Chen, Head of Data and Strategy, South China Morning Post, shares.

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ABOUT THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST  

The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing correspondent staff across Asia and the United States. SCMP’s vision is to “Elevate Thought” and our mission is to “Lead the global conversation about China”. It is the recipient of hundreds of awards for its journalistic excellence, from such prestigious organisations as the World Association of News Publishers and the Online News Association. A digital-first media organisation, SCMP is also home to Goldthread, a content platform with a focus on food, travel and culture in China, and publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.

For further information, please contact:  

pr@scmp.com